The Evangeline Parish School Board Wednesday presented the rate increases for group health insurance coverage for the school board and employees. The new coverage will begin on July 1st; however, the new rates will begin being deducted from June paychecks. The school board had an increase in their share of the program of $186,643.68, and the employees had an increase of $90,997.92. The school board was not pleased with the amount of the increase, but stated they thought it was going to be far worse with the new health care laws.

Assistant Superintendent, Darwan Lazard, spoke in place of Superintendent, Toni Hamlin, who was among those attending the Teacher Leaders’ Summit in New Orleans. He made the following announcements:

The last day for principles to report to school will be June 11th. They are still required to check on their schools during the summer.

Merit paychecks will be distributed as a separate, live check by June 30th.

The first day of the new school year will be August 14th.

Teachers are required to report to school 2 days earlier.

Maintenance crews will be working on the schools during the summer to repair projects by the beginning of the new school year.

The summer work schedule will close all schools on Fridays, including the Media Center, and the School Board hours will be 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

It was reported that there has been no movement by the legislature or by the governor regarding the implementation of the PARC On Line Testing Program and Common Core programs and the school board is proceeding cautiously with being ready to have the program in place by the required deadline next spring. The legislature has given parishes an extra year to put the program into place without being fined.

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The Louisiana Swamp Pop Museum operated by the City of Ville Platte is open to the public every Friday and Saturday from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Come view the amazing artifacts, photos, records, Wall of Fame and hear the music. Admission charge is $3 adults, $2 seniors and $1 for children under 12. The museum is located on Northwest Railroad Avenue.